Asana · Practise on your own

Ardha Padmasana

Half lotus

Half lotus. One foot on the opposite thigh, the other tucked beneath.

Awaiting subject reviewWritten from our source material and not yet checked by a teacher of this practice. Read it as reference, and learn the practice from someone who teaches it.

Meaning: ardha = half, padma = lotus, asana = seat or posture
Family: Seated
Level: Intermediate
Gaze: Nose, or eyes closed

Take care

If the knee hurts, come out at once. The rotation must come from the hip.

How it is done

1
Breathe freely
Sit on a cushion with the left leg bent in front.
2
Breathe freely
Rotating from the hip, lift the right foot onto the left thigh.
3
Breathe freely
Sit upright. Change the legs from time to time.

Holding it

As long as is steady.

Making it easier

Swastikasana or Sukhasana.

What the tradition says it does

A steady seat
Prepares the hips for lotus

As our source describes it. This is not a medical claim.

Padmasana
Lotus pose
Lotus pose. The classical seat for breath practice and meditation, each foot resting on the opposite thigh.
Finishing · AdvancedLearn with a teacher

Sources and tradition

YOG Union App Content Map, 2 November 2026, p. 4

Also known as Half lotus.

Awaiting subject review · revision 1 · updated 5 November 2026